Stories

By Henry C. Parke Whether you’re a fan of television crime dramas, thrillers, comedies, or Westerns, from the 1950s on, you couldn’t miss stunning, vivacious Ruta Lee. Those sparkling eyes reveal such a crafty intelligence—she…

Tip of the Hat to How Far We’ve Come  While tuning in to your favorite network, you may notice our logo looks slightly different—but don’t fret! The INSP you love isn’t going anywhere. In fact,…

From High School Cut-Up to Hollywood Icon Introduction Clint Eastwood has lived an amazing life filled with adventure, hard work, and purpose. This actor, director, producer, and musical composer has been a cultural icon for…

Tis the Season for Gift Giving! Let’s face it. Finding a fantastic gift for the hard-to-buy-for is an art. That’s why we’ve put together a list of foolproof gifts with a Western flair for every…

You’ll Not See Nothing Like the Mighty Quinn! By Henry C. Parke Yes, Bob Dylan wrote those lyrics about Anthony Quinn, and his portrayal of the Eskimo hero in the 1960 film, The Savage Innocents. And…

And Introducing…Actors’ Debuts By Henry C. Parke It always creates a tingle of anticipation when a movie’s opening credits include, “and introducing…” followed by some unfamiliar name. It can signal the start of a major…

The Family That Grows Together, Stays Together. Over nine seasons and countless specials, the Walton family grew up right in front of our eyes. See where they started and who they became. John Walton, Sr.…

Amanda Blake turned heads and hearts for 19 years as Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke. Learn about her colorful life – and the real woman behind the sassy saloon owner!

Why didn’t Gunsmoke’s Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty ever marry? Or even kiss? Get the scoop from James Arness and others, on the great love that could never be.

Wagon Train’s “The Greenhorn Story”—Tribute to Western Pioneers By Dorothy Kosich The third-season Wagon Train episode “The Greenhorn Story” was prolific screenwriter Jean Holloway’s endearing tribute to the emigrant families who were part of the largest mass…

Fordian Touch Enhances Wagon Train’s “Colter Craven Story” By Dorothy Kosich The nation’s second highest-rated TV series Wagon Train in 1960 is partly based on Director John Ford’s film Wagon Master, featuring character actor Ward Bond as the Mormon…

An American Hero for the Ages People ask me how come you’ve been around so long. Well, it’s through playing the part of Mr. Average Joe American. – Gary Cooper With a face tailor-made for…

Western boomtowns during the 1800s gold rush that became haunted ghost towns: Garnet, Montana; St. Elmo, Colorado; Calico, California, Bodie, California, and more.

Glenn Ford: Hollywood’s Beloved Leading Man In a career that spanned 53 years, Glenn Ford was Hollywood’s sure-fire box-office draw. He was a man’s man, tough enough to star in classic Westerns and taut dramas…

Tom Selleck – Western Perfectionist By Henry C. Parke Looking back to 1990, when she flew halfway across the globe to co-star with Tom Selleck in the legendary Australian Western Quigley Down Under, Laura San Giacomo…

What do Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig have in common—besides playing James Bond? They all appeared in Western movies and shows.

INSP mourns the loss of a tried-and-true cowboy who saddled up and graced our screens in Western classics for over 60 years. On Monday, September 13, 2021, Hollywood and fans alike experienced a heavy heart…

What did John Wayne’s younger leading ladies say about him? Katharine Ross, Jennifer O’Neill and Ann-Margret talk about working with The Duke.

The Tom Selleck Story—his life and career. Magnum P.I to Blue Bloods, Jesse Stone, The Sacketts, Crossfire Trail and more. Outdoorsman, cowboy, Hollywood star.

Burt Reynolds: American Pop Culture Icon Burt Reynolds was an American icon: handsome, masculine, and magnetic. From appearances on TV series (most of all, Gunsmoke), everyone noticed when Burt came into the picture – and…

Fess Parker: America’s Frontier Hero The Early Years For over two decades, Fess Parker played sheriffs, soldiers, and spies… and was beloved by parents and children in the 1950s, 1960s, and beyond. Parker was born…

Maureen O'Hara lit up the big screen with her personality and red hair. Read about her life, rise to stardom, and friendship with John Wayne.

Jeff Chandler: From Brooklyn Boy to Hollywood Star Jeff Chandler always knew he wanted to be an actor and he worked hard to make his dream come true. From his celebrated role on the radio…

With his rugged appearance, calm demeanor, and distinctive voice, Sam Elliott has been a mainstay in television and film for over 50 years.

With a host like Sam Elliott, you may never want to leave. Moving from a big city like New York City to a small town in Wyoming isn’t easy. And for Paul (Hugh Grant) and…

Yes, James Arness was tall—very tall! Who or what would the Gunsmoke star tower over? Find out - James Arness is taller than...Read Now.

Four Fan-Favorite John Ford Films In his 50-year Hollywood career, John Ford directed more than 140 films, making the transition from silent movies to “talkies.” In his lifetime, he won six Academy Awards, a record-breaking…